The VA Ostomy Health-Related Quality of Life Study: objectives, methods, and patient sample

Abstract

The unique design of our study of VA patients with ostomies is an illustration of a successful mixed methods approach to HR-QOL research. We collected meaningful quantitative and qualitative data that will be used in the development of new approaches to care that will lead to improved functioning and well-being in persons living with ostomies. Subsequent reports will provide the results of this research project.

A Mixed-Methods Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life for Male Veterans with and without Intestinal Stomas

“…As reported earlier, the estimated internal consistency reliability coefficients (i.e., Cronbach_s alpha) ranged from 0.8 to 0.96 and 0.71 to 0.94 for the scales of the mCOH-QOL-Ostomy and SF-36V questionnaires, respectively. 25 Medical history items obtained from VA administrative databases and electronic charts included type of stoma, reason for stoma, length of time since surgery, preoperative marking by a stoma nurse, type of operation, operative findings, and other medical problems. The Charlson-Deyo comorbidity index 31 was constructed from ICD-9 codes from the VA Patient Treatment File (admissions) and Outpatient Encounter (reasons for visits) databases during the year before the index surgery.…”

“…25 Briefly, all subjects were veterans receiving care at VA Medical Centers in Tucson, Indianapolis, or Los Angeles. Subjects included 239 Cases with known intestinal stomas (cases), and 272 Cases who had similar procedures that did not lead to an ostomy (controls).…”

“…To understand better the levels of HR-QOL experienced by veterans living with intestinal stomas, the VA Ostomy Health-Related Quality of Life Study was undertaken. 25 The results of this study are intended to provide the basis for developing and evaluating clinical interventions designed to mitigate ostomy-related HR-QOL deficits. 8 The purpose of this article is to report the main study findings regarding the self-reported HR-QOL of veterans who had a major gastrointestinal procedure that resulted in an intestinal stoma compared with veterans who experienced similar procedures for which an ostomy was not required.…”

Positive correlation of employment and psychological well-being for veterans with major abdominal surgery

“…13 Briefly, all subjects were veterans receiving care at VA Medical Centers in Tucson, Indianapolis, or Los Angeles. Subjects included 239 patients with known intestinal stomas (cases) and 272 patients who had similar procedures that did not lead to an ostomy (controls).…”

“…A score for total HRQOL, as well as the 4 domains, is calculated as the average of relevant groups of linear analogue questions with response options on a scale from 0 to 10, with higher scores reflecting higher levels of well-being. 13 Psychometric testing was performed with 1,513 oslomates, including cancer and noncancer populations. Factor analysis revealed 4 factors parallel to the 4 dimensions of the model.…”